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It is a name that usually conjures images of Bollywood blockbusters and glamorous red carpets. But on Saturday night, Anushka Sharma was trending for a very different reason: a fearless, match-defining knock in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026.
Making her debut for the Gujarat Giants against the UP Warriorz, Anushka announced her arrival on the big stage in style. Walking out to bat with her team in a spot of bother, the rookie from Madhya Pradesh smashed a fluid 44 off 30 balls, helping the Giants post a franchise-record total of 207/4.
Who is Anushka Sharma?
Before making a name for herself on the WPL stage, Anushka had already built a strong reputation in India’s domestic cricket circuit through consistent performances and leadership roles.
Born on April 5, 2003, Anushka represents Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and has steadily risen through the ranks with her maturity and game awareness well beyond her years. She first grabbed attention with her ability to contribute in pressure situations, often stepping up when her team needed stability or acceleration.
Anushka’s leadership credentials are equally impressive. She captained the India B Under-19 side to a title-winning campaign, showcasing not just her tactical acumen but also her calm presence under pressure. Her performances for the Central Zone have further underlined her consistency, making her one of the most reliable all-rounders in the domestic setup.
A classic batting all-rounder, Anushka is known for her clean timing rather than brute power. She thrives in the middle and lower order, especially in 50-over cricket, where her “finisher’s mindset” stands out. Comfortable pacing an innings and accelerating when required, she boasts an impressive average of over 60 in the format, highlighting her ability to finish games and remain unbeaten in crunch situations.
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The Virat Kohli connection: Inspiration beyond the name
While social media fixates on the coincidence of her name, the real connection between this Anushka and the Virat Kohli household is purely cricketing. A self-confessed “die-hard” fan of Kohli, the youngster credits the former Indian captain for igniting her true passion for the sport.
She specifically identifies Kohli’s iconic unbeaten 82 against Australia in the 2016 T20 World Cup as her lightbulb moment. Watching Kohli single-handedly steer India to victory in that high-pressure chase at Mohali didn’t just turn her into a fan; it was the catalyst that convinced her to transition from casual play to professional training. Today, her composure at the crease and ability to anchor an innings mirrors the very traits she admired in that legendary knock.
A debut to remember
The spotlight was intense when Anushka walked to the crease at No. 3. The Giants had just lost , and the UP Warriorz bowlers were tails up. For a rookie with a heavy price tag (₹45 Lakh) and a famous name, the pressure could have been paralyzing.
Instead, she counter-attacked. Showing maturity beyond her years, Anushka forged a massive 103-run partnership with captain While Gardner provided the brute force (65 off 41), Anushka was the perfect foil—rotating the strike, finding the gaps, and punishing the loose deliveries with elegant drives. Her innings included seven boundaries, showcasing her ability to play both pace and spin with equal comfort.
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
